Time controlled reproducer and amplifier



Dec. 8, 1936. KOENK; 2,063,385

TIME CONTROLLED REPRODUCER AND AMPLIFIER Filed March 6, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet l paw/ Wynn

Dec. 8, 1936. P. KOENIG TIME CONTROLLED REPRODUCER AND AMPLIFIER Filed March 6, 1935 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 8, 1936. EM 2,063,385

TIME CONTROLLED REPRODUCER AND AMPLIFIER Filed March 6, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 8, 1936. P. KOENIG TIME CONTROLLED REPRODUCER AND AMPLIFIER Filed March 6, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 8, 1936. P. KOENlG TIME CONTROLLED REPRODUCER AND AMPLIFIER Filed March 6, 1933 5' Sheets-Sheet 5 1 WWII H H 16 Patented Dec. 8, 1936 PATENT OFFICE TIME CONTROLLED REPRODUCER AND AMPLIFIER Paul Koenig, Chicago, Ill., assignor of forty per cent to David T. Kay and twenty per cent to Joseph L. McCarthy, both of Chicago, Ill.

Application March 6, 1933, Serial No. 659,778

10 Claims.

This invention relates to time-controlled sound reproducing systems, and more particularly to a reproducing and amplifying system wherein loud speakers may be used in connection with a phonograph pick-up device whereby one or more speakers may be accurately controlled for predetermined intermittent operation.-

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound reproducing and amplifying system which may be particularly adapted for advertising purposes, and whereby loud speakers or other signal reproducing devices may be so distributed and time-controlled as to accurately state the time at intermittent periods and in connection with any desired advertising matter.

The invention-may also be used for fairs, de-- partment stores, or other public places, and a single speaker may be used, if desired, or a plurality of loud speakers, or signaling devices may be variously positioned remote from a control whereby the patrons may be directed to various exhibits and information relative thereto may be imparted.

In the present invention, an ordinary synchronous time clock is arranged to accurately and continually indicate the time. This clock is connected to a suitable power circuit and is provided with a switching attachment for branch circuits which is geared to and driven from the minute hand of the time clock or from the minute hand driving mechanism so that the circuits may be automatically closed at predetermined time intervals corresponding to predetermined time indicating positions of the minute hand. The time clock mechanism operates continually but the switches thereon in independent branch circuits are each in series with an independently operated time switch in the main circuit so that the switching attachment of the time indicating clock may be made ineffective to control the amplifying system during any desired periods to .which the independent time switch may be adjusted.

The switching mechanism of the time-indicating clock in conjunction with a time switch which latter may be of the ordinary commercial type is arranged to control the operation of a phonograph which is provided with the usual electrical pick-up arm which latter is electrically connected through the usual tube amplifier to one or more loud speakers.

It is, therefore, a further object to provide a time-controlled electrical sound reproducing system wherein a plurality of different electrical elements having definite individual characteristics and functions are so coordinated and correlated as to cooperatively function to produce desired, definite and predetermined visible and audible results. 1

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the specification and appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating a phantom front view of one embodiment of the invention, including a timeindicating clock and a diagrammatic vertical section of an amplifying phonograph, the wiring and attaching members beingv shown in full lines;

Fig. 2 is a simplified Wiring diagram of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and further illustrates one method of comiecting additional loud speakers for reproducing from a single amplifier;

Fig. 3 is another simplified diagram illustrating the wiring arrangement for an embodiment wherein a plurality of speakers are controlled from a single time-indicating clock through individual amplifiers;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the main time clock and speaker unit illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a back view of the time clock illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a back view of the time clock mechanism and the switch operated therefrom;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the time clock and the switching mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the time clock switch illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a top view of the switch contacts and support therefor;

Fig. 10 is a top view of the phonograph pick-up and amplifier unit shown in Fig. 1 and with the cover open; and

Fig. 11 is a vertical section through the unit and taken on a line substantially corresponding to line |I-Il of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the embodiment illustrated comprises a combined clock and speaker unit I and an electrical phonograph pick-up and amplifier unit 2. As illustrated in detail in Fig. 4, the clock-and-speaker unit I comprises a casing 3 in which is mounted a synchronous electricalclock 4 having a comparatively large face'5 which may be of fabric similar to that used in front of loud speakers in radio receiving sets, suitable clock characters being indicated on the front of this fabric.

A loud speaker 6 is mounted within the casing as illustrated and directed to project sound through the fabric face of the clock 4. The loud speaker is preferably of the so-called power type in which a cone diaphragm is used.

The fabric clock face is preferably used when the clock is located indoors or in sheltered places. However, when the clock is used in exposed places it may be square if desired and have a face on each side, or any desired number of faces may be provided and the speaker is then preferably located in the center of the casing and directed downwardly to project the sound through an opening in the bottom of the case.

As will be described later, the synchronous clock 4 is provided with a switching or circuit making and breaking mechanism. An independently operable time switch 1 is preferably also mounted within the casing 2 of the time clock unit and the synchronous clock and the time switch cooperate for controlling the entire system. The time switch 1 is preferably an independently operable unit of the ordinary commercial type such as commonly used for making and breaking one or more electrical circuits at predetermined time intervals. A similar time switch is shown and described generally in Patent No. 1,794,851 issued to Haynes March 3, 1931.

As indicated in Fig. 1, the electrical pick-up phonograph and amplifier unit 2 comprises the usual motor 8 on which is mounted a rotatable table 9 for supporting a phonograph record ID. The usual electrical pick-up device I I is electrically connected to an amplifier unit 12. This amplifier unit is of the usual type used in reproducing systems and in connection with radio devices. I

An electrically operated friction brake i3 is arranged to accurately control the starting and stopping of the table 9 and the phonograph record thereon and comprises a solenoid l4 and an armature IE to which is attached a pivoted brake lever l6 having a friction face engaging the inner side of a downwardly extending flange I! on the table 9.

The brake lever I6 is' normally held in frictional engagement with the flange IT by means of a spring I8 so that with the solenoid l4 and the table driving motor 8 in parallel electrical relation, when the motor is energized to drive the table the solenoid I4 is simultaneously energized and the brake is released whereby the table may start rotating simultaneously with the energizing of the motor, and when the circuit is broken the motor. and solenoid are simultaneously deenergized and the brake is immediately applied. The friction surfaces between the brake and the flange I! are such that the table is immediately and accurately stopped when the circuit is broken.

The phonograph unit 2 is more completely illustrated in detail in Figs. 10 and 11, the amplifier being of the usual type and having a volume control means l9. Where it is desired to use the device with alternating current, the amplifier unit I2 may include the usual transformer used for such purposes.

The synchronous time clock 4 includes the usual synchronous motor 20 which is directly connected to a power circuit and the usual clock mechanism driven therefrom. A setting means 2| is also provided whereby the clock hands may be accurately set to the correct time.

The time clock is provided with a branch circuit make and break switch mechanism comprising a rotatable insulating disc 22 secured to a shaft 23 having suitable bearings in the clock frame and on which is secured a driven pinion 24, which pinion is in mesh with a driving gear 25 on the minute hand shaft 26, whereby insulating disc 22 will rotate in predetermined time relation with movement of the minute hand. The pinion 24 may be driven from any suitable part of the minute hand driving mechanism but should always be driven in such a manner that the circuits controlled by the switch mechanism may be energized in accordance with predetermined consecutive positions of the minute hand. That is, the disc 22 should rotate at a constant speed ratio relative to the minute hand.

An insulating member 29 is secured to the frame of the clock 4 by means of a bracket 30 and a bifurcated resilient switch member or contact' plate 31 is mounted thereon, the arms 32 and 33, respectively, being in arranged alignment with switch closing plates 21 and 29 onthe insulating disc 22 which are arranged to contact therewith and move the switch arms and close certain circuits during predetermined definite parts of a revolution of the insulating disc 22. Adjustable contact points or screws 34 and 35 are supported in the insulating member 29 and are arranged to be engaged by the resilient arms 32 and 33, respectively, when the arms are pressed downwardly by engagement with the plates 23 and 21, respectively.

Certain other conductors are supported on the insulating member 29 asillustrated in the various figures. However, these are not electrically connected to the switching mechanism just described and are merely supported on the insulator for convenience. The function of these conductors will be described later.

The mechanism just described provides a three-wire switching device which, for convenience, will be indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 36.

The switch mechanism 36 controls the intermittent starting and stopping of the motor 9 as well as the starting and stopping of the amplifier l2, the contact screw 34 and the resilient arm 32 being in the amplifier circuit and the contact point 35 and resilient arm 33 being in the motor circuit.

The gear ratio between the minute hand 01 the time clock and the insulating switch operating disc 22 is such that the disc will rotate once for each predetermined time period or movement of the minute hand, and, if it is desired to operate the phonograph for, say, thirty seconds every fifteen minute period, the plate 21 will be arranged to hold the resilient switch arm 33 of the motor circuit closed for thirty seconds of each revolution of the disc 22, and the plate 28 will be arranged to hold the resilient arm 32 of the amplifier circuit closed for a somewhat longer period. That is, the amplifier circuit will close before the motor circuit to allow the vacuum tubes therein to warm up, and will be kept closed for a short period after the motor circuit is broken to insure the amplifier always being on when the motor is running.

As indicated in the simplified diagram in Fig. 2, the synchronous motor 20 of the time clock mechanism 4 may be connected to a power line by the conductors 31 and 38. The conductors 31 and 39 are supported on the insulating member 29 for convenience only as illustrated in Fig. 6.

A voltage control connecter device 39 (Fig. 1)

may be used and a connecter plug 49 may be 76 used on the conductors 31 and 38 whereby the voltage may be accurately controlled to conform to the requirements of the system by plugging into the appropriate outlet.

The phonograph motor 8 is electrically connected to the main conductors 31 and 38 through the time clock switch 36 and the time switch I. The time switch I is of the usual commercial type whereby the circuit may be broken or connected over predetermined periods, and while the switch 36 is in continual intermittent operation, the effect of this operation may be nullified over predetermined periods by a desired adjustment of the time switch 1. During the time when the time switch I maintains a closed circuit, the switch 36 will intermittently cause the operation of the motor 8 and the amplifier 12.

The motor circuit includes the conductors 4| and 42 and the solenoid l4 of the brake l3, which latter cooperates with the phonograph table 9, is in parallel with the motor 8. Therefore, the brake solenoid will be energized and deenergized simultaneously with the motor.

The amplifier I2 is connected to the main conductors 31 and 38 through the time clock switch 36 and time switch 1 by means of conductors 43 and 44 and conductor 45, the time clock switch 36 and the time switch I, being in series in both the motor circuit and the amplifier circuit. Therefore, during the operation of the phonograph by the motor 8, the time clock switch 36 is closed thereby maintaining both the motor and the amplifier circuits closed to cause the operation of the loud speaker. The brake solenoid is shunted across the motor and therefore will be energized to release the table while the motor is running.

As previously stated, the pick-up II is electrically connected to the amplifier unit in the usual manner and the loud speaker 6 is also connected to the amplifier by means of the usual circuits comprising the conductors 46, and

while the loud speaker 6 in the present instance is enclosed with the, synchronous clock and forms a part of the unit I, it is'contemplated that any desired number of loud speakers, such as indicated at 6:1, may be connected thereto for remote control by providing the usual extended circuits 4'! from the amplifier, the amplifier of course being provided with adjustments suitable for controlling the necessary voltage to the various loud speakers.

In case the power circuit is interrupted or for any reason the time-indicating clock should stop, it is desirable that the amplifier should be disconnected while it is being reset. A switch 48 is therefore provided in the amplifier circuit; preferably in the conductor 43 as illustrated in Fig. 2. This switch is positioned in the circuit in such a manner that the amplifier I2, or, where a plurality of amplifiers are used, all of them may be disconnected from the circuit and the time clock may be reset without operating the loud speakers. A switch 49 may also be included in the motor circuit for disconnecting the motor when desired.

Where a plurality of loud speakers are used and connected in the circuit in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, only one motor and one amplifier are necessary and a single record is used whereby all of the loud speakers will reproduce simultaneously from the same record. However, in some cases it is desirable that individual records should be used for each speaker and that they should all reproduce simultaneously and all be controlled from a single time-indicating clock. 6

Fig. 3, therefore, is a diagrammatic view illustrating one embodiment of this invention wherein the motor conductors 4| and 42 are extended and a plurality of motors 8a may be connected thereto in parallel relation for simultaneous operation. Table brakes l3a are also connected in parallel as illustrated. The amplifier circuit portions 43 and 44 are also extended as illustrated whereby a plurality of amplifiers [2a may be connected in parallel, and in this arrangement each of the loud speakers 6a is connected as shown to its respective amplifier.

Also in this arrangement, one of the speakers may be included in the time-clock unit I in the manner previously described, or, if desired, all of the speakers may be remotely positioned and controlled.

The synchronous motor 20 of the clock mechanism 4 is, of course, designed to correspond with the particular frequency of the alternating current used, and when it is desired to use the device in connection with direct current power lines an ordinary spring-driven eight-day clock may be used together with the spring-driven time switch I and the conductors 44 and 45 will then lead directly through the time switch 1 t the power circuit.

As indicated in Fig. 10, the starting point of the reproducing groove on the phonograph record i0 is clearly indicated at A and in positioning the record on the table the needle B is placed in the groove atthis starting point whereby the reproduction and amplification will start and stop at definite predetermined points throughout the record and the correct time together with suitable advertising or other matter may be reproduced and amplified at definite predetermined time periods in synchronism with the visible time clock.

In preparing the record l0, suitable consecutive time signals and/or other suitable matter may be recorded thereon in such a manner that audible signals corresponding in time to the predetermined time periods indicated by the visible time clock may be reproduced by the automatic cooperation of the time clock and phonograph.

Various modifications may be made in the embodiment illustrated and described and it is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A time controlled sound reproducer and amplifier of the character described comprising an electrically operated time clock, a phonograph including an electric motor and an electrical pick-up, an amplifier electrically connected with said pick-up, an electrical circuit for operatively connecting said motor with a power source, an electrical circuit for connecting said amplifier to a power source, means operable in accordance with predetermined time periods indicated by said time clock for intermittently making and breaking said motor circuit, means operable in accordance with predetermined time periods indicated by said time clock for intermittently making and breaking said amplifier circuit, a time switch in both of said circuits for intermittently nullifying the efiect of both of said making and breaking means, and a loud speaker operatively connected to said amplifier.

2. A time controlled electrical reproducer of the character described comprising a time clock unit having-a time clock therein, a loud speaker, an electrical phonograph unit comprising a motor having a rotatable record supporting table, a record on said table and having time signals consecutively recorded thereon, an electrical pick-up cooperating with said record, an amplifier electrically connected with said pick-up and with said loud speaker for amplifying said consecutive signals, a circuit for connecting said amplifier with a power circuit, a second circuit for connecting said motor with a power circuit, and means in each of said circuits and automatically operable in accordance with consecutive time indicating positions of the minute hand of said time clock for controlling the intermittent operation of said motor and said amplifier respectively.

3. In a time controlled sound reproducer of the character described, an electrically operated phonograph including a motor, an electrical amplifier for said phonograph, a time clock, an electric circuit for said motor, an electric circuit for said amplifier, and automatically operable switching means operable in timed relation with said clock for intermittently maintaining both of said circuits simultaneously closed for predetermined time periods and maintaining one of said circuits closed for a longer time period than the other.

4. In a time controlled sound rcproducer of the character described, an electrically operated phonograph including a motor, an electrical amplifier for said phonograph, a time clock, an electric circuit for said motor, an electric circuit for said amplifier, and automatically 0perable switching means operable in accordance with predetermined time indicating positions of the minute hand of said clock for intermittently maintaining both of said circuits simultaneously closed for predetermined time periods, one of said circuits being closed before the other and maintained closed until the other is opened.

5. In a time controlled sound reproducer of the character described, an electrically operated phonograph including a motor, an electrical amplifier for said phonograph, a time clock, an electric circuit for said motor, an electric circuit for said amplifier, and automaticallyoperable switching means operable in accordance with predetermined time indicating positions of the minute hand of said clock for intermittently maintaining both of said circuits simultaneously closed for predetermined time periods, one of said circuits being closed before the other and maintained closed until the other is opened, said switching means comprising a switch in each circuit, and a rotatable member driven from the minute hand driving mechanism and having cams thereon cooperating with said switches for closing said circuits.

6. In a time controlled sound reproducer of the character described, an electrically operated phonograph including a motor, an electrical amplifier for said phonograph, a time clock, an electric circuit for said motor, an electric circuit for said amplifier, a switch having two sets of contacts, one of said sets being connected in said motor circuit and the other set being connected in said amplifier circuit, and means operable in accordance with predetermined time indications of said clock for actuating said sets of contacts whereby both sets are closed during a predetermined period of time, said means acting to close one set of contacts first and maintain it closed until after the other set has been opened.

7. In a time controlled sound reproducer oi the character described, an electrically operated phonograph including a motor, an electrical amplifier for said phonograph, a time clock, an electric circuit for said motor, an electric circuit for said amplifier, a switch having two sets of contacts, one of said sets being connected in said motor circuit and the other set being connected in said amplifier circuit, and automatically acting means operable in accordance with predetermined time indications of said clock to periodically close both sets of contacts with one being first closed and held in closed position until the other set is opened.

8. In a time controlled sound reproducer of the character described, an electrically operated phonograph including a motor, an electrical amplifier for said phonograph, a time clock, an electriccircuit for said motor, an electric circuit for said amplifier, a switch having a bifurcated contact plate, one arm of said plate being connected in said motor circuit and the other arm being connected in said amplifier circuit, means operable in accordance with predetermined time indications of said clock for actuating said arms to close said circuits, said means acting to close one of said circuits and maintain it closed until after said other circuit is closed and subsequently opened.

9. In a time controlled sound reproducer of the character described, an electrically operated phonograph including a motor, an electrical amplifier for said phonograph, a. time clock, an electric circuit for said motor, an electric circuit for said amplifier, a switch having a bifurcated contact plate, one arm of said plate being connected in said motor circuit and the other arm being connected in said amplifier circuit, a rotatable wheel operable in accordance with predeiermined time indicating positions of the minute hand of said clock, said wheel having switch closing means thereon for engaging each of said arms, said switch closing means being arranged to move one of said arms to closed position and maintain it in this position while said other arm is moved to closed position and after a predetermined period of time is thereafter opened.

10. A time controlled sound reproducer and amplifier ofthe character described comprising a. clock, a phonograph including an electric motor and an electrical pick-up, an amplifier electrically connected with said pick-up, an electrical circuit for operatively connecting said motor with a power source, an electrical circuit for connecting said amplifier to a power source, means operated by the driving mechanism of said clock in accordance with predetermined time indicating positions of the minute hand of said clock for intermittently making and breaking said motor circuit in accordance with predetermined time periods indicated by said clock, said last means being also arranged for intermittently making and breaking said amplifier circuit in accordance with predetermined time 

